FARMINGTON — Three suspects in two different murder cases appeared in Farmington Magistrate Court on Wednesday.

The two men charged with felony murder in the death of Christopher Valdez, 40, waived their preliminary hearings and will be arraigned on their charges in district court, said Chief Deputy San Juan County District Attorney Dustin O'Brien.

Lawrence Kellywood, 26, and Levi Wilson, 31, are accused of starting a shootout at 101 E. Hopi St. on July 27. Wilson and Kellywood, as well as Michael Tafoya and Kathleen Keck, were all shot during the altercation at Tafoya's home. Wilson, Kellywood and Tafoya each fired guns during the shooting, according to court documents.

Danielle Smiley (Courtesy of San Juan County Sheriff's Office)

Police have said Tafoya was acting in self-defense, and he hasn't been charged with a crime. The motivation behind the shooting is not clear.

Kellywood and Wilson have each been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, shooting an occupied dwelling, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit murder. Although police have not said which shooter killed Valdez, both Kellywood and Wilson are being charged in his death. According to police, that's because the men's alleged attempted murder of Tafoya led to Valdez's death, making each of them criminally responsible.

Also Wednesday, 31-year-old Danielle Smiley appeared in court. The Farmington woman is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 28-year-old Danielle Dixon.

According to Farmington police, Smiley assaulted Dixon in April. The assault led to health complications that ultimately caused Dixon's death May 10 at a hospital in Minnesota.

Smiley's preliminary hearing was continued and rescheduled for Sept. 25.

Ryan Boetel covers crime for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4644 and

Levi Wilson (Courtesy of San Juan County Sheriff's Office)

com">rboetel@daily-times.com. Follow him on Twitter @rboetel on Twitter.